Philly day-care owner defends self in boy’s drowning

PHILADELPHIA – The owner of a north Philadelphia day-care center charged in the drowning of a 7-year-old boy last summer is defending her operation and says she is being unfairly portrayed.

Thirty-year-old Tianna Edwards told The Philadelphia Inquirer on Wednesday that she had “good intentions” in opening her day-care center and did so “because I love kids.”

Edwards was charged last month with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangering and endangering the welfare of children in the June 29 death of 7-year-old Isear Jeffcoat, who was found dead at the bottom of a murky pool he visited with a group from the center.

During a hearing Wednesday, prosecutors asked that a grand jury hear the charges, but Edwards’ attorney said he would prefer a preliminary hearing at which he could question witnesses.